Contact is taking a holiday!

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and Mr Jason Kenney, Canada’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. Ottawa (Photo: tibet.net)

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Indian-born, Harvard-educated political head of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile paid a visit to Canada on February 25. He met with cabinet members and other notables, urging them to encourage the Chinese to find a permanent and just solution to the unavoidable problem of Tibet.

He also had meetings with MPs from the parliamentary friends of Tibet group and Canada’s minister of immigration and citizenship. He claimed that the rising number of self-immolations stems from the repression of political and religious freedoms and crackdowns on other forms of protest. He also spoke of the economic disenfranchisement of Tibetans by the Chinese on their own land and the related environmental issues.

Other highlights of his visit included his meeting with the Canadian official opposition leader, and addressing the Subcommittee of International Human Rights of the Canadian Parliament. The Subcommittee members declared themselves impressed with the scope and clarity of the information provided.

Sikyong called upon the newly instated Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Andrew Bennett, to visit Tibet and personally acquaint himself with the situation. However, the Canadian ambassador to China was recently turned down from travelling to Tibet. That permission to enter Tibet is subject to Chinese government approval could similarly prevent Bennett.

The visit received significant attention from Canada’s most prestigious print and media outlets which Sangay used to discuss the painful issue of the tide of self-immolations sweeping Tibet. He appeared on CTV News, Power and Politics and Cpac. Canada’s most important newspaper, The Globe, also featured an in-depth interview with him on its front page, ensuring nationwide coverage of the visit.
Hopefully, this visit will have improved the Canadian people’s understanding of the current situation in Tibet and they will then encourage their authorities to hold discussions with the Chinese Government. Sikyong wishes for freedom and for the Dalai Lama to be able to return to Tibet. These are not only his wishes but those of all Tibetans.